since there are a lot of oldies on here (me too, 47) may I ask about the newgen son in the game. (Hope Im not hijacking your thread).
I very often get a regen son in my career saves. The general view seems to be that this is rare, but I just assumed it was because the age profile of the players made it so that it was impossible. Most players were under 30, I assumed, hence getting a 16 yo son in the game was virtually impossible. If you are 35+ then you have an increased chance. Looking at responses here maybe the age profile is actually much higher.
Ive had 6 sons now across about 10 different careers in the last few versions. Am I just lucky?

Hi
My HP Pavillion is about 4 years old. It's noisy and I'm getting an error 90B (fans have failed) when I switch it on first time (when I switch it on 2nd time I never get this warning and it seems to function OK). It's been like this for about a month but I know it's not long for this world, so I want to purchase a new one. I have tried blowing air in to loosen up the fans, but taking it apart seems the only way to fix this - and frankly I think I'll cause more damage. So a new one it is.
I only use my laptop for general internet, emails, watching movies, youtube etc. Nothing pushes it too much. Just FM with 5 leagues running and about 40K players, 3D match engine etc. - it gets hot and is noisy (grrr,grrr,grrr etc. Driving me mad!)
So imagine money was no object and I needed a PC to comfortably run FM and not much else that was particularly CPU intensive, and more importantly, did it quietly. What would be the recommendations from the experts here? Appreciate some guidance. (Don't want a Mac btw)
I live in Sweden by the way and UK and US laptop nomenclature (numbers) are not the same territory to territory so links would be good if that's possible so I can find out the equivalent Swedish model....

RFC Liege Season 10: 2023-24 - Bobbins71
Final League Position - 1st - Champions
results 1 | results 2
Cofides Cup - Semi Final
Champions League - Group Phase
Euro Cup - Semi Final
I am now an Icon!
A great season and the first part of the challenge completed. It was helped this season by Anderlecht and Genk imploding if I'm honest. Neither team was as good as usual, probably because they sold a lot of their players in the close season. That's not to say we didn't deserve it though. The squad was excellent almost the entire season with some fantastic performances. We established ourselves at the top pretty early winning the regular 30 game league and staying on top during the 10 game Championship. The penultimate game saw us thrash 2nd place Club Brugge convincingly 5-0 to secure our first title since 1958!
European competition was tough as we entered the qualifiers for the Champions league needing to get past Young Boys of Bern and then Athletico. We edged the Athletico game, to put us in a group with Manchester United, Juventus and Zurich. We beat Zurich home and away, drew with United home and away and lost quite convincingly to Juventus, home and away. 8 points placed us third meaning we went into the Euro Cup. This was another exciting adventure - beating Celtic, Genk and Sporting before being robbed quite cruelly by OL on penalties. A game we deserved to win.
The Cofidis Cup was a secondary concern this season, but we still did well because I have a strong squad and good depth. Finally losing in the Semi final to Genk.
Facilities
Still have;
Average Training Facilities,
Average Youth Facilities,
Exceptional Junior coaching
Established Youth Recruitment.
But the Training and Youth Facilities are under development.
I could be subject to a takeover soon as well.
Finances were in a bad shape until the group stages of the Champions League. As I am now guaranteed a place in the groups for being first this season, I don't have any money concerns any longer. Also, Belgium has improved as a league so we get two automatic places now.
Transfers - None
Squad 1 | Squad 2
Mathieu Tessier (YP0a) – No longer the best CB but a still a regular.
Patrick Nzuzi (YP0b) – He continues to score goals when given the chance but he wants to leave now.
Damiano Perazelli (YP0c) - Sold for £175K to Verona 20/21 season.
Anthony Esnault (YP1a) – Another excellent season ad has shaken off the injury proneness to be the 1st choice in midfield
Axel Renouard (YP1b) – Is only a backup now.
Sven Simons (YP01c) – Sold to Vitesse for £140K and 50% of any future sale 17/18 season. - Made £725K in 18/19 season from sell on clause. :-)
Regis Mutombo (YP1d) – Didn't play.
Kapela Mandanda (YP01e) - Released for free in 2023/24 season.
Thomas Morin (YP02a) – Sold for £5M to OM 20/21 season.Lee Woo-Young (YP07a) - First choice at LB.
Jeremy Cheron (YP02b) - Released for free 21/22 season.
Yohan Collet (YP02c) – Is getting less and less chances.
Julian Simon (YP03a) - Can't get a game but he can tutor now.
Cemil Erol (YP03b) - Sold to Buraspor for 11K and 50% of any future sale in 18/19 season.
Cedric Lassere (YP03c) - Captain but was always getting caught offside.
Sylvian Faivre (YP04a) - Not as good as last year. Would like to sell.
Julien Morand (YP04b) - Sold to Lyon for 4M 18/19 season.
Thierry Kitoko (YP04c) - First choice at LB and did really well. 7.21 average over 38 games.
Jean-Louis Marchal (YP05a) - Still moans a lot. But has lots of talent.
Christophe Pruvost (YP05b) - Probably my most important striker and now leads the line for Belgium.
Maarten Machiels (YP06a) - Is still rated my best player. 15 assists this season (takes the corners) from anchor man position.
Lee Woo Young (YP07a) - First choice LB and did very well - 7,21 over 39 games.
Freddy Lecomte (YP07b) - Is turning into a solid midfielder.
Jerome Durand (YP08a) - Is developing well as a backup anchor man.
Kresimir Vukic (YP08a) - Played well but I have too many strikers.
Niclas Sueur (YP09a) - Less chances but he and Besnard did ok when given the opportunity.
Anthony Besnard (YP09b) - Limited chances but he will get more next season.
Youth Intake 10
One player gets a tab but there are a few others who look very promising.
Lionel Guilletou (YP10a) - Promising LB and a Model Professional too!
Season League Ptn Achievements ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014/15 Derde Klasse A 3rd CofCup 7th Round 2015/16 Derde Klasse A 1st CofCup 6th Round Promotion 2016/17 Belgacom 1st CofCup 7th Round Promotion 2017/18 Juliper League 9th CofCup 6th Round 2018/19 Juliper League 5th CofCup Winners 2019/20 Juliper League 4th CofCup Qtr Final SupCup Winners, Euro 1st KO Stage 2020/21 Juliper League 4th CofCup 7th Round Euro 1st KO Stage 2021/22 Juliper League 5th CofCup 7th Round Euro Group Stage 2022/23 Juliper League 2nd CofCup Runners Up Euro Final 2023/24 Juliper League 1st CofCup Semi Final Champ League Grp Euro Semi [/Code] On to next season! Win the league again and try to improve in the Champions League.

RFC Liege Season 9: 2022-23 - Bobbins71
Final League Position - 2nd - Runners Up
results 1 | results 2
Cofides Cup - Runners Up
Euro Cup - Runners Up
This is probably the most devastating season I've ever had. I should be very happy because the squad is coming together very nicely but deep down I know it could have been much better. To be runners up in all 3 competitions is really depressing.
This season is when Liege established themselves as a top 3 team alongside Genk and Anderlecht. We started really well with the new tactic and played some really good stuff scoring 87 league goals and conceded 37 (the joint best defence alongside Anderlecht). My final points tally had us safely in 2nd place just 3 behind the winners. Anderlecht are head and shoulders above the other teams and in truth we shouldn't have been this close, but it will be interesting to see what happens to Genk now they miss out on the Champions League money.
Next season should be very interesting as the youth players still have some potential to max out and get even better, so I'm hoping to solidify 2nd place again.
The Cofidis Cup was really a winnable competition once I had got past Genk and Standard Liege to meet Club Brugge in the final. 3 days earlier I'd beaten them in the championship game, and was confident. We were the better team, had more chances, but just couldn't get over the line. By this point tiredness had kicked in and we were playing 3 games in 6 days when fighting for the league, cup and Euro cup at the same time. It wasn't to be.
The following week later was the Euro cup final. This had been a fantastic competition for us. We started in the 2nd Qualifying Round this year due to finishing 5th in the league last year. I played a LOT of matches. After despatching Derry City, Keflavik of Iceland and Acedemica, I was in a group with AZ Alkamar, Inter Milan and Rubin Kazan. I topped the group with 4 wins and 2 draws (both of which were against the weakest team AZ Alkamar where we drew both games from being 2-0 up in the last 10 minutes). The highlight was a 0-6 Demolition of Inter in the San Siro which will live long in the memory!
From here we rode our luck a little, winning on penalties against Galatasary and Tottenham before beating Feyanord in the semi final only to meet Arsenal in the final. Here we were the better team (IMO) but couldn't put away our better chances and our luck deserted us in the ensuing penalty shoot out.
So 3 competitions and three runners up positions. Gutted! I've a feeling this is a watershed season though and success is not far away.
Facilities
Now have;
Average Training Facilities,
Average Youth Facilities,
Exceptional Junior coaching
Established Youth Recruitment.
Finances were in a bad shape but reaching the final of the Euro Cup was worth a lot of money and if I can make the Champions League groups I should be set for a while.
Transfers - Well. This is interesting. I appear to have signed a player - but I didn't! He is one of my youth players (you can see this in the link to last years youth candidates which I left in this report) but he didn't sign on youth terms, but as a full time contract. I think it might be because I offered him a FT contract before my HOYD signed him up. Technically he is a signing, but I think this is a special case/bug.
Squad 1 | Squad 2
Keepers - Don't have a tagged Goalkeeper, but he's a youth product.
Marc Roche - conceded 64 in 63 appearances.
Defenders -
Mathieu Tessier (YP0a) – Still first choice CB. 54 starts speaks for itself.
Thierry Kitoko (YP04c) - First choice at LB.
Maarten Machiels (YP06a) - Is rated my best player. Half Back or CWB position. Lots of assists.
Yohan Collet (YP03c) – Only a backup but still played 32 times!
Lee Woo-Young (YP07a) - First choice at LB.
Jerome Durand (YP08a) - Is developing nicely and will get more game time next season.
Midfield -
Anthony Esnault (YP1a) – Finally playing like I hoped. A first choice now.
Axel Renouard (YP1b) – Did OK again and was a regular starter.
Regis Mutombo (YP1d) – From being the star of the team a few seasons ago to being a backup. Would sell if I could.
Kapela Mandanda (YP01e) - Didn't play.
Julian Simon (YP03a) - No longer a first choice but a fabulous tutor.
Freddy Lecomte (YP07b) - Was a rotation option but still made 20 starts.
Attackers - I play 3 up front so I need six to be well covered. As you can see, all of these played a lot and got a lot of goals.
Cedric Lassere (YP03c) - Captain suffered from a few niggling injuries but still contributed 12 goals.
Sylvian Faivre (YP04a) - Star man with 26 goals.
Jean-Louis Marchal (YP05a) - Is a bit of a complainer, and missed a lot of the season through injury, but there is a good player here. 15 goals.
Christophe Pruvost (YP05b) - Played a lot, scored 25 goals and is probably the pick of the strikers. Was called up for Belgium. My first senior capped player.
Patrick Nzuzi (YP0b) – This was a surprise. He made 3 starts last season and I was going to sell but this season was a step back to form. 13 goals.
Kresimir Vukic (YP08a) - The transferred player. Did OK - 10 goals in first season.
Sold/Released Tagged players
Damiano Perazelli (YP0c) - Sold for £175K to Verona 20/21 season.
Sven Simons (YP01c) – Sold to Vitesse for £140K and 50% of any future sale 17/18 season. - Made £725K in 18/19 season from sell on clause. :-)
Thomas Morin (YP02a) – Sold for £5M to OM 20/21 season.
Jeremy Cheron (YP02b) - Released for free 21/22 season.
Cemil Erol (YP03b) - Sold to Buraspor for 11K and 50% of any future sale in 18/19 season.
Julien Morand (YP04b) - Sold to Lyon for 4M 18/19 season.
Youth Intake 8
You can see my "transfer" is a youth candidate here.
Youth Intake 9
Two players, both strikers which isn't ideal but they do look like good potential quality.
Niclas Sueur (YP09a)
Anthony Besnard (YP09b)
Season League Ptn Achievements ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014/15 Derde Klasse A 3rd CofCup 7th Round 2015/16 Derde Klasse A 1st CofCup 6th Round Promotion 2016/17 Belgacom 1st CofCup 7th Round Promotion 2017/18 Juliper League 9th CofCup 6th Round 2018/19 Juliper League 5th CofCup Winners 2019/20 Juliper League 4th CofCup Qtr Final SupCup Winners, Euro 1st KO Stage 2020/21 Juliper League 4th CofCup 7th Round Euro 1st KO Stage 2021/22 Juliper League 5th CofCup 7th Round Euro Group Stage 2022/23 Juliper League 2nd CofCup Runners Up Euro Final [/Code] On to next season! Need to tweak the tactic again and find a way to stop throwing away leads at the end. (A shut-up-shop tactic). Also try and get 2nd place (or better) and try and make the Champions League Group phase.

LOTs of good points in the original post.As AI squad building and management is so hard to improve (it seems) can we not just make it harder to find good players? Scouting is the easiest way to do this. The star system is ridiculously accurate and simple. Real life is not like this.Either... Make scouting a longer term exercise where it takes 10 or so games to get a recommendation and without all the accurate stats - just personality and average rating and a breadth of stats which won't be nailed on.OrDo away with scouting star reports all together.If we can't make the AI better stop making it so easy for us to find great players!

RFC Liege Season 8: 2021-22 - Bobbins71
Final League Position - 5th - Dropped a place from last season, but at least I secured Euro qualification again in the Euro playoff.
results 1 | results 2
Cofides Cup - 7th Round -
Same old as last season really. The team can usually beat the bottom 6 home and away, the middle 6 it's a bit more tricky, the top 4 is really hard (with Genk and Anderlecht being really good and so hard to beat usually - although this is the 2nd time I've put 5 past Anderlecht). It was still a good season though considering and I feel we are making slow progress.
Europe was a good experience again. We made the group stage again, and despite being in the same group as Liverpool and Besiktas didn't disgrace ourselves. They were tough opposition but we finished 3rd with 10 points, only losing out on going through on goals scored.
I must be doing something right because I'm getting job offers now. As if I'd join those losers at Standard!!!
Facilities - Had training facilities cancelled for the third time! I did get junior coaching and youth recruitment up again. The huge youth set-up costs are starting to cripple me though. It's so hard to make money in this league without champions league revenue.
Now have;
Average Training Facilities,
Adequate Youth Facilities,
Exceptional Junior coaching
Established Youth Recruitment.
Finances are deteriorating again but my policy of giving away fringe players for nothing + a sell on fee is paying dividends.
Transfers - None
Squad 1 | Squad 2
Keepers
Defenders - I'm light on quality defenders, (although I have 3 non tagged players who fill the CD role and are as good as my tagged CB.
Mathieu Tessier (YP0a) – Not getting any better and his PA has dropped to 4 stars, which is a really good sign actually. Still a regular at CB.
Thierry Kitoko (YP04c) - Didn't get enough games because of injury and is now a second choice.
Maarten Machiels (YP06a) - Was tutored twice and now has a much better personality. Has made the 1st team place his own at RB.
Yohan Collet (YP03c) – 1st choice LB but under pressure next season to perform as there is genuine competition.
Lee Woo-Young (YP07a) - Good break though season and should push Yohan Collet for the RB slot.
Midfield - Is solid if unspectacular but light on attacking midfielder.
Patrick Nzuzi (YP0b) – Hardly played and will likely be sold next season. Can play in AM and as I'm light on quality here, I might give him another chance.
Anthony Esnault (YP1a) – Injuries have dried up and he's starting to fulfil his potential.
Axel Renouard (YP1b) – Regular and unspectacular.
Regis Mutombo (YP1d) – Was injured a lot of the time and never got into a good run of games. I'm hoping Freddy can take his place next season.
Kapela Mandanda (YP01e) - Squad filler.
Julian Simon (YP03a) - More a rotation option but because he's a Model Pro, I really like him. (I have 2 other Model Pro's in the squad now. I am aiming for 11 in the team before the end of this challenge.
Freddy Lecomte (YP07b) - Did OK in the AM slot but initial excitement might be a little premature.
Attackers - Probably my strongest area as all 4 are good for the level.
Cedric Lassere (YP03c) - Made the captain and did really well. 21 goal return was excellent.
Sylvian Faivre (YP04a) - 16 goals but less chances this term.
Jean-Louis Marchal (YP05a) - Looked good when played but looks injury prone. Also keeps complaining and wants to leave.
Christophe Pruvost (YP05b) - Took his chance to cement a place in the first team scoring 19 goals.
Sold/Released Tagged players
Damiano Perazelli (YP0c) - Sold for £175K to Verona 20/21 season.
Sven Simons (YP01c) – Sold to Vitesse for £140K and 50% of any future sale 17/18 season. - Made £725K in 18/19 season from sell on clause. :-)
Thomas Morin (YP02a) – Sold for £5M to Verona 20/21 season.
Jeremy Cheron (YP02b) - Released for free 21/22 season.
Cemil Erol (YP03b) - Sold to Buraspor for 11K and 50% of any future sale in 18/19 season.
Julien Morand (YP04b) - Sold to Lyon for 4M 18/19 season.
Youth Intake 8
No stand outs really but lots with potential to be decent or good players. I only tagged the one player though.
Jerome Durand (YP08a) - Looks promising and will probably play as a CB.
Season League Position Achievements ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014/15 Derde Klasse A 3rd CofCup 7th Round 2015/16 Derde Klasse A 1st CofCup 6th Round Promotion 2016/17 Belgacom 1st CofCup 7th Round Promotion 2017/18 Juliper League 9th CofCup 6th Round 2018/19 Juliper League 5th CofCup Winners! 2019/20 Juliper League 4th CofCup Qtr Final SupCup Winners, Euro 1st KO Stage 2020/21 Juliper League 4th CofCup 7th Round Euro 1st KO Stage 2021/22 Juliper League 5th CofCup 7th Round Group Stage [/Code] On to next season! Objective this time..... We'll See..... slow and steady wins the race. The squad has a lot more depth in it and the 1st couple of years tagged youth are fulfilling their potential now so, probably try to get in the top 4 again. Be a bit tighter at the back.

Hi,
For a point of clarity, can you request feeder clubs that will provide youth to your youth intake? I would really find that useful as I'm player a "youth only" game at the moment and getting quality youth players in from outside my local area would be great.

RFC Liege Season 7: 2020-21 - Bobbins71
Final League Position - 4th - Again. It's hard to crack the top.
results 1 | results 2
Cofides Cup - 7th Round - Stuffed 4-0 by Antwerp!
Started out really well and had a good season, keeping things tight and winning games. Finished 3rd on the last day of the season after getting a draw away at leaders Genk. Really solid for most of the season, team was playing well. Then the 10 game championships started and we were awful. We did manage to salvage things and win our last two home games and get a solid 4th place, meaning Europe next season. Happy with it overall but beating Genk or Anderlecht to the title will take a while I expect. (Although I did thrash Anderlecht 5-1 this season - which was nice!)
Europe was good this year, qualified after beating CSKA Sofia (6-2 away), then drew a group with Everton, Red Star Belgrade and Dynamo Kiev. Finished second (the highlight was a 2-0 win at Goodison Park) and qualified for the knock-out stages, but met Tottenham next and was well beaten over both legs.
Facilities - Bit of investment this time. Both Youth and Training facilities being upgraded.
Now have;
Adequate Training Facilities,
Basic Youth Facilities,
Excellent Junior coaching
Above Average Youth Recruitment.
Finances are OK now, but a lot of investment recently. Sold Thomas Morin (YP2a) to OM for £5M at the beginning of season. It worries me a little bit that despite doing well and getting Europe games I'm still only breaking even really. I'm having to sell players to fund improvements.
Transfers - None
Squad 1 | Squad 2
Starting Youth
Mathieu Tessier (YP0a) – Solid at centre back.
Patrick Nzuzi (YP0b) – Did OK again. 6 goals ad 6 assists in 15 starts.
Damiano Perazelli (YP0c) - Sold for £175K to Verona 20/21 season.
Year 1 Intake
Anthony Esnault (YP1a) – Starting to fulfil his potential now and not as injury prone.
Axel Renouard (YP1b) – Another good season and a good backup WB when I need one.
Sven Simons (YP1c) – Sold to Vitesse for £140K and 50% of any future sale. - Made 725K in 18/19 season from sell on clause. :-)
Regis Mutombo (YP1d) – Was injured a lot (twice on international duty) so not a good season for Regis.
Kapela Mandanda (YP01e) - Squad filler.
Year 2 Intake
Thomas Morin (YP2a) – Sold for £5M to Verona 20/21 season.
Jeremy Cheron (YP02b) - Drop to the U21s. Will let him go because he's been replaced by others now.
Yohan Collet (YP03c) – A better season. Played a lot of games.
Year 3 Intake
Julian Simon (YP03a) - Not playing with a DM now so he's not an automatic starter. But still like him.
Cemil Erol (YP03b) - Sold to Buraspor for 11K and 50% of any future sale in 18/19 season.
Cedric Lassere (YP03c) - 14 Goals. A good leader as well so will be captain next season.
Youth Intake 4
Sylvian Faivre (YP04a) - Breakthrough season for him once Thomas Morin left. 19 goals is a great return.
Julien Morand (YP04b) - Sold to Lyon for 4M 18/19 season.
Thierry Kitoko (YP04c) - First choice WB on the right now but not developing as much as I'd like.
Youth Intake 5
Jean-Louis Marchal (YP05a) - These will get more opportunities next season. Both have excellent potential.
Christophe Pruvost (YP05b) -
Youth Intake 6
Maarten Machiels (YP06a) - He put on a star in CA but didn't really impress. He is "fairly sporting" (he was unambitious at first). I'd like to tutor that out of him, but it failed the first time. Both he and the tutor disliked each other, but after 6 months, I'm trying again now he has matured a bit.
Youth Intake 7
Two players get tags this time.
Freddy Lecomte (YP07b) - Good AM and lots of potential. Played in the last game (and scored) so he broke the club record. Quite excited about Freddy.
Lee Woo-Young (YP07a) - Half South Korean lad. He is needed for a position I am light in, and has a good personality. So I think he could be a good player.
Season League Position Achievements ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014/15 Derde Klasse A 3rd CofCup 7th Round 2015/16 Derde Klasse A 1st CofCup 6th Round Promotion 2016/17 Belgacom 1st CofCup 7th Round Promotion 2017/18 Juliper League 9th CofCup 6th Round 2018/19 Juliper League 5th CofCup Winners! 2019/20 Juliper League 4th CofCup Qtr Final Super Cup Winners, Euro 1st KO Stage 2019/20 Juliper League 4th CofCup 7th Round Euro 1st KO Stage [/Code] On to next season! Objective this time..... Not expecting to do that much better again, but a solid top 6 finish and good European adventure should be possible while developing my players. (I do have a lot of 4 star+ potential players. 4 stars are "good Jupiler League" standard. Liege is a big city so I'm very happy with the quality coming through. Some of my youth are not labelled (the Goalkeeper is a youth product and he's already 3.5 star "decent" with the potential for 4.5 stars. I really think I can do this challenge, even if it takes another 20 seasons).

This setup has been quite popular - but honestly. There isn't a quick fix.
http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/share-download-fm-14-tactics/157674-defending-corners-potential-cure.html
I've conceded 19 goals in my last 50 games via corners (not with this setup btw). I just don't have tall, strong, good jumping reach defenders.